How is everyone doing? I have been impressed by how everyone is coming together to support each other. And following the new rules of physical distancing and hand washing. We need to continue to be on guard to flatten the curve and protect each others' health and well-being.

It has not been easy to follow the experts’ advice, which is changing every day. As older adults, we are expected to stay home as much as possible, especially those over 70 years of age. Many of us are also caregivers to others at home and in long-term care. What do you need to do if you get sick or a family member gets sick? How do we give and receive care in the age of self-isolation? How do you get support to connect with your family member in long-term care?

Three Tips for Older Adults to Stay Healthy and Safe

Here are three suggestions to help us stay healthy, safe, and well during this pandemic and physical distancing.

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1 - Establish routines

Establish a routine that reflects your pre-COVID-19 life. A regular routine will support everyone. Make sure the routine allows time for watching/listening to the news, creativity and learning, meals, physical activity, sleep and a regular bedtime routine, as well as connecting with family and friends. For information about how to get groceries, see our last
INFO-FLASH newsletter on Food. Many
City Councillors are sharing information on grocery and pharmacy services in their wards too.

2 - Stay physically active

Movement and exercise are important for health and well-being. Take a walk, climbing stairs in your building (being carfeu about touching railings), do
strength and balance exercise (Ottawa Public Health), or join an online fitness break. Check out a list of online exercise programs:

Better Strength, Better Balance! exercise and education program is on Rogers TV 22 with links to videos on Youtube

Silver Sneakers (US) also has a series of videos of easy to follow exercise you can do at home

3 - Be mindful of your stress or worry

Each day brings new information and rules. It can be unsettling and overwhelming. We may feel we have little control. Continue to monitor and limit exposure to media. If you live alone, reach out to family and friends. Connect with others through telephone-based programming like
Seniors Centre Without Walls or
A Friendly Voice. Know
it's OK not to be OK (Ottawa Public Health). When talking with others, be supportive by listening, validating their worries and concerns, and reassuring them that this situation is time-limited. For other supports and services, check out our
Special COVID-19 Updates website or the
Royal Ottawa COVID-19 website.

﻿If you or someone you live with becomes ill with COVID-19

You have followed all the rules, washed your hands, and practiced physical distancing, yet you or a family member has become ill. Now what? The Ontario COVID-19 website has information including:

If you live alone, you should have a plan to have regular check-ins with family and friends when you become sick. You can also arrange to have grocery and pharmacy deliveries, Meals on Wheels, telephone safety checks, or transportation through Champlain Community Support Network.

If you are a caregiver

As a caregiver, you may want to have a plan should you or the person you care for need to self-isolate or become ill. Here are a few resources for more information:

Resources and Factsheets (Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County) The Dementia Society is available to support caregivers and people who are living with dementia. You can reach Dementia Care Coaches at 613-523-4004 (Ottawa) and 888-411-2067 (Renfrew County) or at www.DementiaHelp.ca.

If you have a family member in long-term care

Family visits in long-term care have been restricted during the pandemic. It can increase feelings of fear, frustration, sadness, and isolation. Here are a few other resources to help you stay informed and connect with your family member.

Virtual Family Forums provides a forum for families to ask questions and get support (Family Councils Ontario)

Virtual Visits Toolkits supports families to set up Zoom and Skype calls with family members in long-term care (Family Councils Ontario)

Family Support and Action Line - available to LTC families, staff, residents, and the public to call to receive information or raise concerns during #COVID19. Call 1-866-434-0144; 8:30 AM-7PM, 7 days a week (Ministry of Long-Term Care)

Disclaimer: INFO-FLASH is published as an information and education service. We try to present the most current information available. Things continue to change rapidly with COVID-19. Some details and links to external sources may become out of date. Please check the information and resources below for additional information.